“Okay.” Stevie wastes no time. “What is going on?”
Lux bites her lips. I can’t say this is the best time to discuss this, but she needs to be honest with her. It’s not like I want another person to become privy to what we’re doing, but I’m worried about Stevie’s safety after my call with Andrew.
“River and Sebastian are helping me with something.” Lux pauses, as if weighing whether or not to let her sister in on our plans. With a quick glance over to me, I nod giving her encouragement to continue. She lets out a long breath before speaking again, “You know the cabin case dad’s been working on?”
“Yeah?” Stevie’s brows furrow.
“I was one of those women,” Lux admits. Moisture pooling in her eyes, I walk over to her, resting a hand on her back. “River was the one who got me out that night.”
“Lux…” Stevie’s voice trails off as shock drains the blood from her face.
“The night we went to the club—” Lux focuses on the hardwood floor at our feet, her muscles stiffening under my palm.
She’s reliving it.
“There is a lot to talk about, Stevie, but the bottom line is, River and I are helping Lux avenge herself,” Sebastian adds, still vague.
They need to talk about this privately.
“Stevie, Lux is staying in the East Wing. Why don’t you spend the night with her tonight and you two can talk about it?” I offer.
Perplexed, Stevie simply shrugs her shoulders and agrees.
I dip my head, capturing Lux’s beautiful eyes in mine. The ones that once were light—and full of life. “Can I speak with you first?”
Lux nods, giving me a weak smile.
The tapping sounds of rain outside has picked up now that nightfall is among us adding an eerie background to our conversation. Hooking an arm around Lux, I led into the hallway and out of earshot of her sister and Sebastian.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
“Yeah…” She swallows hard. “I think I need to tell her the whole truth.”
Taking two fingers, I pinch her chin, bringing her lips to mine and kiss her lightly. “I think you’re right.”
“Thanks for the support.”
“Of course.” I smile, reluctantly. “She’ll stay in the room with you tonight. And it’s probably not the best time to tell you this, but I also think you should speak with her about staying here for the time being as well.”
Lux’s face transforms into confusion. “Why?”
“Remember I told you Andrew called me yesterday? Well, I have reason to believe he might know you’re connected with law enforcement. Which means, Stevie could be at risk as well,” I whisper.
Her eyes grow wide. “Oh god. Okay.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll explain more later.” I cup her cheeks, tilting her face up to press a soft kiss on her forehead.
She lets out a heavy exhale while wrapping her arms around my waist for a brief embrace. “I’ll come by your bedroom later.”
“Okay.” I drop my hands, and Sebastian and I leave the room, giving the girls time to make their way to the East Wing.
My stomach clenches as I watch them walk away knowing this conversation will be difficult for Lux and I won’t be there to protect her when the emotions of that night return. I hope Stevie understands because I know how hard it would be for Lux if she didn’t.
Chapter 26
Lux
My sister paces back and forth on the hardwood floors, while I remain seated on the edge of my bed as she begins to make sense of what I’m sharing with her. “I can’t believe you were taken that night.”
